Nice to Meet YOU!

Hello everyone! It’s nice to meet you all! I am the blind sailor Mitsuhiro (Hiro) Iwamoto.

Now that the press conference is over, I can relax a little. I am very grateful that I have a chance to realize the dream I’ve had for a long time in tandem with Shinbo-san.

Things that make me happy now!

Being able to eat lots of delicious thing! Taking a REAL bath in a Japanese tub! Being able to drink cold Japanese beer! Friendly encounters with the people of Osaka, getting reconnected with old friends in the Kansai area and to have the opportunity to sail on the same boat Kanpei-san and Hiki-san sailed on! That I will be able to test a new system designed for blind sailors! And that I have a chance to realize my dream with Shinbo-san.

Things that worry me!

Have I been able to master the skills I have practiced so far? Will I be able to do everything I learned to do in the galley (the kitchen inside the yacht) on a rolly yacht? How will we do when we face strong winds and high waves?  How hard is it going to be to miss our family? Will the people of Nishikujo like us? A lot of things worry me but I’m so excited!

I share my honest feelings on this blog with all of you so I truly appreciate your messages of support.

Thank you!

Hiro

Uploaded originally in Japanese on 3/13/2013

Translated by See What I Sea Project (SWIS)